The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1887-06-02
WINCHESTER.
The Mistake That Was Made In Not Burning the
Bridge.


Bridge.
EDITOR NATIONAL TRIBUNE: Comrade Jim
ME Max, of the 9TH Ind, wishes some one to
explain why the bridge at Port Republic was
not burned, aud if il had been, could those
eight regiments have captured Stonewall jack
sons Corps2 History, so far AS i know, has
failed to tell who was responsible for that great
blunder which enabled jackson TO cross and
join the forces at Richmond, and by whose aid
McClellan's army was defeated, thus prolong-
ing the war, costing thousands OF lives and
millions of treasure There arc volumes of
unwritten history stored in the minds OF our
comrades that should be given to the public
before they are forever sealed.
On Sunday, June 8, 1862, about $50 of the
LIST VIVA. Cav, with Gen. Carroll and staff and
two pieces Of artillery, reached Port Republic,
village situated in an angle formed by the
junction OF the North and South Rivers, tribu-
taTies OF the south fork OF the Shenandoah. The
north branch was spanned by long, covered,
wooden bridge. After fording the south branch
under fire from some guards, we charged and
soon had them captured, and hurried TO the
bridge. Some parties having had a fire near
by, we commenced TO carry brands on the
bridge, when Gen. Carroll came up and TO our
surprise told us not 10 burn but to hold the
bridge. Some one brought him one of Jack
, sons Aids that had been captured. They shook
him in half an hour at an old stable on the
other side. i think he reported TO Stonowall,
as / never saw him alterward.
Our two guns coming up, they unlimbered,
one facing down the Street, the other toward
the mouth OF the bridge Adj't McQuilet,
| Serg't Cunningham and some one else crossed
and went up the hill 10 get a view, when they
saw brigade Of infantry and battery OF
artillery coming on the double-quick. He re-
/ fad ia fan al,
them.
About that time they opened on us with
canister from gun down the street. One regi-
ment Of the brigade deployed along the river "a
the right Of the bridge, while the others charged
/ through. Between the artillery and musketry
they made such fuss that we left the place
! One division of Jackson's Corps lay about mile
4 from town. Part OF Carrolls Brigade came up
but was soon shellcd back, and took up a posi-.
1 ton about two miles down the Valley, on the
| Lewis farm.
Just over the river, in the other valley, Ere.
mont and jackson were fighting the battle OF
Cross Keys. The echo of their guns resounded
down the Valley, fairly shaking the ground
! beneath US. The remainder Of Carrol's Bri.
gade and Tyler's went into camp. Jackson's
army crossed the river aud burned the bridge
leaving Fremont harmless on the other side
Early next morning began one OF the hottest
contested battles of the war. Jackson's Corps
numbering 1900, fought against two brigade:
OF shields's Division, III pieces of artillery
and 80 cavalry. The rebels got eight of our
i2 guns. We captured 63 prisoners. We had
ample time TO have burned the bridge, and !
believe that If Gen. Shields and the two re-
manning brigades of his division had been III
we would have captured or whipped Jackson's
forces SO badly they would not have been able
10 turn McClellan's fank.-W. J. BROWN Co
b, LIST w. Va. Cav, Elm Grove, w. Va.